Maxine's POV:

“Tell me, did Mom slip you any money?” Teresa was asking me while we waited outside the principal’s office. The lovely receptionist told us to wait at the bench in front of the door that read ‘Mr. Frank Hoff, School principal.’

“She did.”

“Oh, no,” Teresa growled.

“Don’t worry. I am going to spend it wisely." I sarcastically replied to her remark. "In case you missed it. There are no Starbucks in this place.”

The door opened and a man almost my mom’s age stepped outside to meet us. He was tall and handsome-ish if not for the thick glasses he had on. Overall, he had no fashion sense whatsoever. The color blocking in his outfit was not giving him justice. He was reading my school transcript and he smiled broadly when she called my name.

“Maxine Shepard?”

“Here.” I raised my hand as if there were several other people there waiting.

“I know.” He said.

“You know?”

“Don’t you just sit there and act like you do not know me. Come in, give me a hug.” The principal said in his Alabama accent.
“Excuse me, we just met....” I muttered.

My mother sprung from the seat and hugged the man. I was once again, ladies and gentlemen left dumbfounded by none other than my own mother. She was obviously friends with this man and she did not, like every f*cking time, mention anything to me.

“Max, this is Frank.”

“I read the name outside his office,” I mumbled. Still appalled by the fact that this is my mother’s turf and people here knew her. I was the outsider.

“Sorry, Frank. My daughter has a very smart mouth.” Teresa apologetically said.

“Well, reminds me of someone I know,” Frank replied with a smirk on his face.

“Who?” I asked.

“Your mom. She had the smartest mouth in the pack.” Teresa nudged Frank to stop.

“What pack?’” I insisted.

“Nothing.” Teresa glared. “Frank, her schedule, please.”

“R-right.”

He handed me my school schedule and my school handbook instead. He then instructed one of the students to help me out in familiarizing the entire campus grounds. I was forced to leave my mother and Frank who went inside his office right after I turned my back. If I was not mistaken, my mother was mad at the principal and the principal looked scared of my mother.

Looks like someone had a reputation.
The girl and I walked on. “Hello. I am Jackie. Give me your class schedule.” she did not wait for me to hand them to her, the girl just grabbed it in my grasp. “Oh, nice, we are classmates in almost all classes.”

“That’s a relief." I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, I saw you roll your eyes. You are Maxine Shepard. Right?”

“How did you know?” I was guessing that she found out my name by the class schedule she was holding but then I realized it was a printed copy that they give all the students and there was no name on it.

“Everybody knows.” She shrugged.

“What do you mean by that?"

“This is a small town, this is a small school. Everybody knew everybody and you are the new girl.”

“Oh.” I was relieved. She had a point. I have an idea of how small Haven is now. Small enough for gossip to travel without the need for the internet.

“Let’s get to our second class.”

“Second?”

“Girl, it's almost ten. On what planet do you suppose it’s first-class this time?” Jackie said and took my arm to our second class.

The morning went by swiftly. It was science class and the teacher wanted me to introduce myself to the class since I was new. Of course. That was why I put extra effort into looking presentable today. I've never done this since grade one because I stayed at one school and that was it. Well, that was two days ago. Now, I had to do it in my senior year. Jackie gave me a little pat on the shoulder.

“Go get them, girl.”

“Thanks.” I stood up and smiled at everyone. “Hello. I am Maxine. Maxine Shepard. I just moved here from Manhattan last night. My mom’s mother lives here and she was very eager to send me off to school.” That brought my new classmates into a little laugh.” I am into sports, track and field in particular and I am also a part of the school paper. I hope to continue that here. That would be all.” I did a little bow then took the seat.

“Hey, that was pretty bada**.”

“What do you mean? I just introduced myself.” Jackie was very happy about and it bothered me that this girl was too comfy around me. It might be good, but it spooked me a little.

“That was really cool,” Jackie said.

“Thanks.”

Jackie was short and petite but she has a good fashion sense. I like that. She wore a denim pencil-cut skirt just below the knees and a Nirvana shirt, she was also wearing my favorite shoes in a different color. Converse. She was pretty too. And if I might say so, I just made a friend on my first day at school. Woohoo. Small wins.

After science class. It was time to get lunch. I was hungry even after the heavy breakfast Grams prepared for me. I hoped that the school canteen would sell something that could fill my appetite. Because right now, I swear to God that I can eat a whole water buffalo.

The school canteen was just like any other canteen in Manhattan. A large hallway filled with long tables and chairs and the food counter on the other end.

Jackie and I followed the queue of students to get our lunches. When it was our turn to take lunches, I was amused that it was like a buffet! No pesky canteen staff to monitor what you take or eat and even regulate the amount of food you take by scooping it themselves to our plates.

“Wow.”

“Yeah, wow. Canteens in Manhattan aren't this cool, huh?”

“Not even close.” My mouth watered.

Haven has a serious budget for food, there were different kinds of sandwiches, fried chicken, rice, pizza, the whole carbs, and nine yards. They have fruits and many more. They even have a sweets corner. I love Haven now.

“Hey. Max. You can always come back later if you are undecided. Get what you like now.” Jackie whispered.

“Why are you whispering?” I whispered back.

“Because we got to hurry. Blake and his gang are waiting in line too.”

As I turned to see who she was talking about, I felt a familiar feeling. And then I met his gaze. With eyes so blue like the Aegean Sea that it almost drowned me. Jackie reminded me to hurry. We sat on a vacant table and I swear to God, that guy was still staring at me.

“Who is that guy?” I asked Jackie.

“Who?”

“That one? With the red hoodie. Blue eyes and blonde.”

Jackie did not waste her time looking for the guy I asked her about. She sat wide-eyed and excited. “Girl, that is Zayn. Zayn Randolf. He is on Blake’s team too. Why? OMG…do not tell me, on your freaking first day of school!”

Zayn. What are the odds?

“Nope. Do not even mention it.” I stopped her assumptions. “I know a Zayn too back in Manhattan.”

“Max, there are loads of Zayn’s in the world!” Jackie scoffed. "It's a popular name."

Point taken. I paid attention to my food. It's good. Haven cooks are, no pun intended, heaven-sent.

“Excuse me, are you Betty Shepard’s granddaughter?”

Jackie and I turned to see who was talking to me. It was no other than Zayn! But.... he was over there a while ago and now he's a few feet away from me. How did he get here that fast? Dang it, up close, he is even gorgeous and there is a strange hot feeling in my belly.